HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

MICHELLE COOPER: Next, we are going to talk about omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help those--help people to have a healthy heart and those that are at risk for cardiovascular disease by lowering their bad cholesterol and helping to elevate their good cholesterol, therefore putting them at a lower risk for further damage to their heart. The best dietary source of omega-3's happens to be fish, mostly cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines. However, you can find a form of omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed oil, in walnuts and in soybeans. What they are recommending is that most Americans get about two to three servings of fish a week to meet their omega-3 fatty acid needs. However, this may not be possible for everybody, so you can supplement with an omega-3 fatty acids supplement, such as the one that you see here or a cod liver oil supplement. It is always better to eat your food to get your omega-3 fatty acids from dietary. But if you can't, it is okay to supplement, especially if you have the okay with your physician to do so. So remember, you need omega-3's. And the best source of omega-3's are your fatty fishes and some of your vegetables like flaxseeds, soybeans and walnuts. You need to have about two to three servings a week. And if you can not always meet that, you can take a supplement that may meet your needs.